Expendable dispensing package



Aug. 24, 1965 T. H. HAYNIE, JR 3,202,327

EXPENDABLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Aug. 31, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l A Thomas H. Hayrjl'e,

)1 Fig. 1 1O\ INVENTOR.

A TTO/FNE) 1965 T. H. HAYNlE, JR 3,202,327

EXPENDABLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Aug. 31, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tha mas H, Hd'ym'gfif 62 INVENTOR.

0 i /E RA 5/ Aug. 24, 1965 T. H. HAYNIE, JR

EXPENDABLE DISPENSING PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 51, 1964 M R Wm M .v m S m W m T.

United States Patent 0 3,202,327 EXPENBABLE DEPENSENG PACKAGE Thomas H. Haynie, din, Houston, Tern, assignor of one-fourth to Ernest R. Archarnheau, Houston, Tex. Filed Aug. '31, 1964, Ser. No. 393,397 Ztl Ciairns. (til. ZZZ-455) This invention relates to packages arranged to controllably dispense their contents; and, more particularly, to inexpensive expendable packages for free-flowing solids that have a self-contained dispensing device therein arranged to selectively discharge a predetermined quantity of the packaged contents each time the package is tilted.

It will be appreciated that although such commonly used substances as powdered food products, granulated detergents and the like do not ordinarily require precise. measurement, a reasonable approximation should be made of the volume dispensed to avoid the introduction of either too much or too little of the material. Heretofore, when dispensing such substances, it has been necessary to first discharge the material into a separate measuring container and then transfer it from that container to the ultimate point of use. It is apparent that this practice is not only time-consuming but is also wasteful.

Packages with self-contained dispensing devices have been proposed in the past but these have not been commercially acceptable for various reasons. Many of these packages have been so elaborate that they are not readily mass-produced and often cannot be erected, filled and sealed by conventional machinery. On the other hand, those packages of the prior art that may perhaps be economically feasible usually fail to dispense only a predetermined volume unless they are manipulated in an awkward or unnatural manner. Moreover, these previously proposed devices general-1y occupy such an excessive proportion of the interior space of a package that either the quantity of the contents must be reduced for a given size of package or the package must be substantially enlarged to accommodate the usual quantity normally placed in that size of package. i

It will be appreciated that to successfully market highly competitive materials, the packages used must be readily mass-produced and be capable of being handled with a minimum of expense. Such packages must also be arranged in such a manner that they can be simply erected, filled and sealed by conventional machinery.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide new and improved, collapsible packages for freefiowing solids that may be economically fashioned, erected, filled and sealed by conventional machines and which include integral self-charging dispensing devices that automatically discharge a predetermined volume of solids each time one of the packages is manipulated in a particular but natural manner.

This and other objects of the present invention are obtained by folding an extension from one side wall of a package in such a manner as to subdivide a minor portion of the interior of the package into separated compartments of a predetermined volume. Apertures provided in the extension regulate the flow of the packaged contents from the major portion of the interior into a first compartment and from there into another compartment from whence a predetermined volume is discharged from an outlet.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by Way of illustration and example of certain embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view, partially broken away, of

the upper portion of an erected package having a selfcontained dispensing device of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the successive positions of a package employing a self-contained dispensing device arranged in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a unitary blank forming the package and self-contained dispensing device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a unitary blank similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a portion of an erected package formed from the unitary blank of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of a unitary i blank similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a portion of an erected package formed from the unitary blank of FIG. 7.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the upper portion of a conventional rectangularly formed package It) is illustrated with its front wall 11 and one top fiap 12 being substantiaily broken away and its other top flaplfi being folded back for purposes of greater clarity. A self-charging dispensing device 14 is formed in the package It? by folding an elongated integral extension 15 from one end wall 16 of the package into a particular configuration.

To form the dispensing device 14, the elongated extension 15 is folded into an L-shaped configuration to provide first and second separated compartments 1'7, 18. In fashioning the dispensing device 14, the extension 15 is first folded over at 19 and directed horizontally to provide a horizontal portion 26 which will ultimately extend immediately beneath the top flaps 12, 13 when the package 19 is finally sealed. The horizontal portion 26 terminates in a told 21 at a point intermediatethe opposed end walls 16, 22 of the package 10. From fold 21, the extension 15 is then directed downwardly to provide a vertical divider 23 between the second or lower compartment 18 and the interior of the package 16. An aperture 24 in the upper portion of the vertical divider 23 provides an access opening for the packaged contents to enter the dispensing device 14-.

The vertical divider 23 is terminated at a fold which point the extension 15 is redirected horizontally toward the end wall in to provide a continuous horizon tal divider 2-6 separating the dispensing device 14 from the interior of the package 1G. The horizontal divider 26 also forms the bottom of the lower compartment 18. The divider 26 is substantially the same length as the horizontal portion 2t? and engages the end wall 16 at a point spaced below fold 19 a distance approximately equal to the length of the vertical divider 23. At the point of engagement, the extension 15 is folded at 27 and directed upwardly a short distance to form a short upright portion 28 which is subsequently secured to the contiguous portion of the inner surface of the end wall 16.

The short upright portion 23 is terminated at its upper end by a fold 239; and, from this fold 2%, the extension 15 is again redirected horizontally away from the end wall 16 to provide a short horizontal portion .30 which separates the compartments 17 and 18 from one another. An aperture 31 in the short horizontal portion 39 provides access from the lower compartment 13 into the upper compartment 1'7.

At the outer end of the horizontal portion 30, the extension 15 is folded at 32 and again directed upwardly to provide a continuous vertical partition 33 which also separates the compartments .17 andld. The upper end of the vertical partition 33 is subsequently secured to the underside of the horizontal portion 2t by any usual means such as, for example, a glue tab 34.

Partially perforated tear-out tabs 35, 36, or some other easily opened closure, in the top flaps i2, 13 are arranged to align with one another and a matchin tear-out tab 37 25, from in the horizontal portion 2t adjacent to told 19 whenever the top flaps are closed. Thus, when the package has been scaled, access thereto is readily gained by punching out the aligned tear-out tabs 3537.

Turningnow to FIGS. 2 and 3, a filled package it} is shown with its front wall 11 partially broken away to illustrate the successive positions of the packaged contents as the package is manipulated. The tear-out tabs 35-37 have been torn away to provide a discharge opening 38.

In FIG. 2, the package lid is shown in its usual upright position before being tipped to discharge a predetermined volume of free-flowing solids. The major portion of the packaged contents 39 assumes a natural level, as at 4t}, beneath the lower edge of the aperture 24 in the vertical divider 23. A measured portion 41 of the free-flowing solids 39 has previously entered the dispensing device 14 and is now confined within the lower compartment 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is only normal that the user will grasp the package iii around the end wall 22 opposite the discharge opening 38. Inversion of the package is in the natural manner illustrated will allow the measured portion 41 to fall through the aperture 31 into the upper compartment 17 and be discharged from there through the opening 38. As the measured portion 4-1 flows from the lower compartment 13, a second portion 4-2 of the freellowing solids 39 flows into the compartment 13 through the aperture 24 to recharge the dispensing device 14.

It will be realized that so long as the package 16 is incan verted, this second portion 42 will continue flowing through the aperture 2 until it rises to a depth slightly greater than the vertical height of the aperture and blocks the aperture. It will also be noted that when the package it is inverted, the vertical partition 33 extends above the maximum transient level 43 of the second portion 42. Thus, the second portion 42 is unable to overflow fold 32 and become co-mingled with the first measured portion 41 as it is being discharged.

When the package 10 is returned to its upright position, the second portion 42 then falls to the bottom of compartment 18 and comes to rest upon the horizontal divider 26 similar to that previously shown at 41 in FIG. 2. V

The volume of the portion 42 that enters the dispensing device 14 when the package iii is inverted will, of course, depend upon the vertical height 44 (FIG. 1) of the aperture 24, the width of the vertical divider 23 and its spacing from the vertical partition 33. Thus, by selecting these dimensions, the volume of solids trapped within the lower compartment 18 each time the package ilti is inverted can be easily established.

Since the package It) is preferably filled from the bottom, a user will generally find the dispensing device ll-i to be already charged when the package is first open-ed.

Although the volume of solids initially entrapped may sometimes be greater than intended, after the first inversion of package 16) only the predetermined volume of the free-flowing solids 39 will be entrapped in successive inversions.

Should, perchance, the dispensing device 14 not receive an initial charge, even an unsuspecting user cannot fail to become aware of the dispensing device. Should nothing flow from the opening 38 when the package 10 is first tipped, it will be only natural to make a second attempt. This second attempt will, of course, discharge a predetermined quantity of the free-flowing solids. Similarly, an unsuspecting user cannot fail to quickly realize that only ameasured volume is being discharged each time the package 10 is inverted.

In FIG. 4, a unitary blank 35 is shown to fashion the package iii and dispensing device 14 depicted in FIG. 1. It will be realized that the larger portion as of the blank 45 is appropriately sized and arranged as desired to form the side walls or" a package it? of a particular size.

Similarly, the elongated integral extension extending upwardly from the end wall 16 is appropriately arranged and sized to form a dispensing device 14 of the proper dimensions as previously described.

Horizontal fold lines 47, 48, extending across the rectangular portion 46 and vertical fold lines d951 extending between the horizontal folds are scored appropriately to delineate the four vertical side walls of the package it) and their respective top and bottom closure flaps. From the respective junctions of the vertical fold lines 4951 with the horizontal told line 47, vertical slits 52 54 are extended to the upper edge of the rectangular portion 46 to separate the extension 15 and the top closure flaps l2, l3 and 55 from one another. Similarly, from the junctions of the vertical fold lines 49-51 with the horizontal fold line 43, downwardly extending vertical slits 56%;? separarate the four bottom closure flaps 59-62.

An elongated glue tab 63 is provided along the free edge of the front wall 11 for securing that edge to the free edge of the end wall 16 when the package 19 is assembled. It will be realized that any customary arrangement of glue tabs and end flaps may be used as well.

As seen in FIG. 4, the integral extension 15 begins at the fold line 19. The extension 15 is of sufiicient length and is appropriately divided by successive, longitudinally spaced, horizontal told lines to form the several members of the dispensing device 14- when the package it) is finally erected.

The first portion of extension 15 extends between fold lines 12 and 21 and comprises the horizontal portion which is generally rectangular with its width being substantially equal to that of the end wall 16. The longitudinal spacing between the fold lines 19, 21 establishes the length of the horizontal portion 2% as Well as the distance that the dispensing device 14 extends horizontally into the package llti from the end wall 16.

The next portion of the extension 15 comprises the vertical divider 23 in which the aperture 24 is formed. As shown in FIG. 4-, this portion is generally trapezoidal with its free edges progressively diverging outwardly from fold line 21 to fold line where its width is slightly greater than that along the fold line 21. The next successive portion of the extension 15 extending between.

fold line 25 and told line 27 comprises the horizontal divider 26. This portion is also generally trapezoidallyshaped but with its free edges progressively converging until reaching fold line 27 where the width is again substantially equal to that of the end wall 16. The length of this portion is substantially equal to the portion comprisingthe horizontal portion 20.

The portion of the extension 15 extending between fold lines 27 and 2% is generally rectangular and comprises the short upright portion 28. The length of this portion will establish the vertical spacing between the horizontal divider 26 and the horizontal portion whenever the package it is finally assembled and erected.

The horizontal portion 34 in which the aperture 31 is formed is that portion of the extension between fold lines 29 and 32. This portion of the extension 15 is generally trapezoidal with its free edges progressively diverging outwardly until reaching the fold line 32 at a width substantially equal to or slightly less than the width along fold line 25.

The final portion of the extension 15 is also generally trapezoidal with its free edges progressively converging from fold line 32 to a width again substantially equal to that of end wall 16. The glue tab 34 terminates the extension 15. It will be noted that the combined lengths of the vertical partition 33 and the upright portion 28 are substantially equal to the length of the vertical divider 23.

Turning now to the purpose for forming portions 23, 26, 30 and 33 of the extension 15 in generally trapezoidal shapes, it will be realized that the front and rear walls I of an erected package have a natural tendency to bulge slightly outwardly and that this is accentuated by the contents of the package when full. between the front wall 11 and the rear wall 64 is slightly greater, for example, at the opposite ends of fold 25 than at fold 32; and both of these distances are slightly greater than the width of the end wall 16. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that by progressively increasing the width of extension from fold 21 to told and from there progressively decreasing the width to fold 27, the free edges of these portions of the extension will substantially conform to the natural curvature of the front wall 11 and rear wall 64. Similarly, by varying the width of those portions of the extension 15 comprising the horizontal portion and the vertical partition 33, these free edges will also be made to substantially conform to the front wall 11 and rear Wall 64.

The amount of divergence and convergence required to make the dispensing device leak-proof is, of course, relatively slight. Thus, it will be appreciated that the amount of width variation required to keep the front and rear walls firmly engaged against the free edges of the above-described extension portions will depend upon (1) the thickness, grain and stiffness of the stock employed, (2) the relative overall dimensions of the package 10; (3) the horizontal and vertical distances which the dispensing device 14 extends into the package It); and (4) the nature of the solids.

Once the blank has been cut out, the extension 15 is then folded in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 to form the dispensing device 14. The glue tab 34 is secured to the underside of the horizontal portion 20 at the shaded area 6d and the short upright portion 23 is then secured to.

the inner surface of the end wall 16 at the shaded area 66 (FIG. 4). The large rectangular portion 46 is then folded at each of its vertical fold lines 4951 to bring the elongated glue tab 63 into juxtaposition with the free edge of the end wall 16. The glue tab 63 is then folded in and secured to the end wall 16 to complete the initial assembly of the package 10. At this point, the partially assembled package 10 is, of course, completely collapsed so that it may be shipped and later erected and filled.

When the package It is to be erected and filled, the package is generally expanded while in an inverted posi' tion and the dispensing device 14 shifted into the position shown in FIG. 1. The end flaps 12, 13 and are then folded inwardly in succession with the upper surface of horizontal portion 20 preferably being secured to the underside of the end flap lying immediately adjacent thereto. The inverted package 10 is then filled through the still-opened bottom. After filling the pakage it), the bottom end flaps 59-62 arethen closed and secured to seal the bottom of the package. It will be appreciated, of course, that every one of the above-described operations from forming of the blanks 45, gluing of the dispensing device 14 to filling and sealing of the packages ill can be accomplished by conventional machinery.

'It will be understood, of course, that whenever a filled package 10 is tipped as illustrated in FIG. 3, the freeflowing solids 39 rest on the dividers 23 and 26. It has been found, however, that the tapered configuration of the dividers 23 and 26 in conjunction with the natural tendency of the user to squeeze the front wall 11 and rear wall 64 together against the free edges of the dividers will, therefore, substantially prevent the free-flowing solids 39 from leaking therebetween into the lower compartment 18.

In some instances, however, it may be preferred to take further steps to ensure that the free edges of the dividers 23, 26 remain even more securely engaged with the front wall 11 and rear wall 64, particularly where the freefiowing solids 39 are very fine. Accordingly, ithas been found that by providing narrow projections along the free edges of the dividers 23 and 26, the additional surface area that contacts the front Wall 11 and rear Wall 64 will prevent the above-mentioned objectionable leakage. Al-

though there are any number of arrangements for projec-- Thus, the spacing 6 tions that will be equally suitable, a typical arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5.

As seen in FIG. 5, a unitary blank 45' is partially shown to illustrate one manner in which these projections may be provided. The unitary blank d5 differs from the blank 45 (FIG. 4) only inthat elongated projecting tabs 67 and 68 are provided, respectively, along the free edges of the tapered dividers 23 and 26. These projecting tabs 67 and 68 extend laterally only a short distance. Fold lines 6942 are suitably scored to enable the projecting tabs 6'7, 68 to bend readily and extend into the interior of the package it) as the extension 15 is being formed to fashion the dispensing device 14.

Thus, when the package 1b is erected, the tabs 67 and 68 will be disposed against the front wall 11' and rear wall 64; and, as partially depicted in FIG. 6, the tab 6'7 will lie fiat against the rear wall 64'. It will be further appreciated that by directing the tabs 67 and 63 toward the interior of the package 10, the weight of the freefiowing solids will press the tabs more front wall it and rear wall 64.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of a unitary blank 45" is partially shown to illustrate both an alternate manner of providing edge projections for the dividers as well as for forming a dispensing device 14" in accordance with the present invention. By comparing the blank 45 with those blanks already described, it will be seen that .the extension 15" has merely been rearranged so that the upper compartment is formed first and then the extension 15" is doubled back to form the lower compartment.

Accordingly, to accomplish this reversal of the direction for fashioning the dispensing device 14", the horizontal portion is divided into two sections 29A" and 263" with the latter section terminating the extension 15'. The remainder of the extension ldibetween the sections 20A, 25B" is unchanged from the previously described embodiments except that it has been reversed. Thus, when the dispensing device 14- is to be formed, the vertical partition 33 is directed downwardly from the outer end of horizontal section NA. By using FIG. 1 as a guide, it will be seen that thereafter the extension 15 is successively directed in a generally counterclockwise direction. From the upper end of vertical divider 23", the horizontal section 20B" is directed horizontally from fold 21 until it abuts the outer end of section ZtlA. At this point, the glue tab 34" is bent downwardly and secured to the reverse side of vertical partition 33 at '73.

Along the free edges of the trapezoidal dividers 23" and 26", a series of projections 74, '75 are provided to.

prevent the above-mentioned objectionable leakage. Fold lines 76-79 are suitably scored along the deckled edges to enable the projections 74, to bend readily and extend into the interior of the package it?" as the extension 15 is being formed to fashion the dispensing device 14'.

Thus, when the package it)" is erected, the projections '74, '75 will be disposed against the front wall 11 and rear wall 64"; and, as partially depicted in FIG. 8, the projections '74 will lie fiat against the rear Wall 64".

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the present invention has provided various embodiments of specially arranged blanks for forming new and improved packages to contain free-flowing solids that have integral selfcharging measuring compartments therein suitably arranged to discharge a predetermined volume of the contents of the packages each time one of them is manipulated in a particular but natural manner. Moreover, the present invention 'has provided new and improved collapsible packages for free-flowing solids which may be economically fashioned and filled by conventional machines.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications maybe made without departing from tightly against the this invention in its broader aspects; and, therefore, the

aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is that:

l. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said upright walls, a metering dispenser comprising: partitioning means between said side walls for dividing the interior of said carton into three separate compartments, one of said compartments being in communication with said outlet openi g; first access means providing communication between said one compartment and another of said compartments; second access means providing communication between said other compartment and the remaining one of said compartmentsyand means integral with said partitioning means and in engagement with said side walls for maintaining said partitioning means frictionally engaged with said side walls.

2;. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said upright walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension of one of said end walls projecting into said carton between said side walls and including a first portion having a first opening therein and extending to a first position lower than said outlet opening and joined there to that one of said end walls most nearly proximate to'said outlet opening to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of said carton, and a second portion having a second opening therein and extending between a position proximate to said first position and another position proximate to said top wall to define a second compartment in communication with said 7 first compartment and said outlet opening; and means for maintaining the opposite edges of said portions frictionally engaged against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side walls.

3. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said upright walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension of one of said end walls projecting into said carton between said side walls and including a first portion having a first opening therein and extending between a position adjacent to said top wall and a position lower than said outlet opening and joined adjacent to that one of said end walls most nearly proximate to said outlet opening to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of said carton, and a second portion having a second opening therein and extending apart from said first portion between a position adjacent to said top walland joined at a position adjacent to that one of said end walls most nearly proximate to said outlet opening to define a second compartment in communication with said first compartment and said outlet opening; and means integral with said first and second extension portions for maintaining the opposite edges of said first and second extension portions frictionally engaged against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side walls.

4. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said end walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension of said one end wall projecting into said carton between said side walls and including a first portion having a first opening therein and extending between a position proximate to said top wall and a position below said outlet opening and joined thereto to said one end wall to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of'said carton, and a second portion having a second opening therein lower than said first opening, said second portion extending above said first portion between a position adjacent to said top wall and joined to said one end wall to define a second compartment in communication with said first compartment and said outlet opening; and means integral with said first and second extension portions for maintaining the opposite edges of said first and second extension portions frictionally engaged against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side walls.

5. In a tubular carton having top and bottom Walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said end walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension of said one end wall projecting into said carton between said side Walls and including a first portion having a first opening therein and extending between a position proximate to said top wall and a position below said outlet opening and joined there to said one end wall to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of said carton, and a second portion having a second opening therein lower than said first opening, said second portion extending above said first portion between a position adjacent to said top wall and joined to said one end wal to define a second compartment in communication with said first compartment and said outlet opening; and means for urging said opposed side walls into frictional engagement with said first and second extension portions including outwardly extending integral edge portions along the opposite sides of said first and second extension portions, said integral edge portions being abutted against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side walls.

6. The tubular carton of claim 5 wherein the outermost extremities of said outwardly extending edge portions of said first extension portion are bent over and directed parallel to said opposed side walls.

7. The tubular carton of claim 6 wherein said bentover extremities are elongated.

3. The tubular carton of claim 6 wherein said bentover extremities are serrated.

9. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said end walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension ofsaid one end wall projecting into said carton between said side walls and including a first portion having a first opening therein and extending from a position intermediate said end walls and adjacent to said top wall to a position below said outlet opening and joined there to said one end wall to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of said carton; a second portion of said extension having a second opening therein lower than said first opening, said second portion extending downwardly from a position intermediate said end walls and adjacent to said top wall and then in a generally horizontal direction above said first portion to said one end wall below said outlet opening to define a second compartment in communication with said first compartment and said outlet opening; and means integral with said first and second extension portions for maintaining the opposite edges of said first and second extension portions frictionally engaged against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side walls.

10. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by-pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said end walls, a metering dispenser comprising: a continuous extension of said one end Wall projecting into said carton between said side walls and including a first portion h avinga first opening therein and extending downwardly from a position intermediate said end walls and adjacent to said top wall and then in a generally horizontal direction to a position below said outlet opening and joined there to said one end wall to define a first compartment in communication with the interior of said carton; a second portion of said extension having a second opening therein lower than said first opening, said second portion extending downwardly from a position intermediate said first portion and said one end wall and adjacent to said top wall and then in a generally horizontal direction above said first portion to said one end wall below said outlet opening and joined there to define a second compartment in communication with said first compartment and said outlet opening; and means integral with said first and second extension portions for maintaining opposite edges of said first and second extension portions frictionally engaged against contiguous inner surfaces of said opposed side Walls.

11. In a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by duplicate pairs of opposed upright end and side walls and an outlet opening defined in one of said walls proximate the junction of said top wall with one of said end walls, a metering dispenser comprising: an elongated continuous extension of said one end wall projecting into said carton between said side walls, said extension having a transverse width substantially equal to the width of said end walls and including first and second extension portions, each of said extension portions respectively having first and second opposed trapezoidal parts meeting at a common transverse axis having a width greater than the width of said end walls; said first trapezoidal parts of said extension portions extending downwardly from spaced-apart positions intermediate said end walls and adjacent to said top wall, said second trapezoidal parts of said extension portions extending generally horizontally from said common transverse axis to spaced-apart positions below said outlet opening and joined there to said one end wall to define first and second compartments; said first trapezoidal part of said first extension portion having a first opening therein and said second trapezoidal part of said second extension portion having a second opening therein.

12. The tubular carton of claim 11 wherein said extension further includes first and second rectangular por tions having a transverse width substantially equal to the width of said end walls, said first rectangular portion extending generally horizontally below the inner. surface of said top wall between said one end wall and the upper end of said first trapezoidal part of one of said extension portions, said second rectangular portion extending generally vertically along the inner surface of said end wall between said second trapezoidal parts at said spacedapart positions on said one end wall.

13. The tubular carton of claim 12 wherein said one extension portion is said first extension portion.

14. The tubular carton of claim 12 wherein said one extension portion is said second extension portion.

15. The tubular carton of claim 11 wherein said extension further includes first, second and third rectangular portions having a transverse width substantially equal to the width of said end walls, said first rectanguar portion extending generally horizontally below the inner surface of said top wall between said one end wall and the upper end of said first trapezoidal part of said second extension portion, said second rectangular portion extending generally vertically along the inner surface of said one end wall between said second trapezoidal parts at said spaced-apart positions on said one end wall, and said third rectangular portion extending generally horizontally below the inner surface of said top wall between the upper ends of said first trapezoidal parts.

16. In a blank cut and scored to define at least four contiguous sections arranged and adapted for folding into a tubular carton having top and bottom walls connected by opposed end and side walls, means adapted for forming a metering dispenser within said carton when erected comprising: a continuous extension from an end of one of said sections arranged and adapted for forming an end wall, said extension having a transverse width substantially equal to said one section and including first and second portions respectively having first and second opposed trapezoidal parts meeting at a common transverse axis having a width greater than the width of said one section, said first trapezoidal part of said first extension portion having a first opening therein and said second trapezoidal part of said second extension portion having a second opening therein.

17. The blank of claim 16 wherein said extension further includes first and second rectangular portions having a transverse width substantially equal to the width of said one section, said first rectangular portion extending between said one section and one of said first and second extension portions, said second rectangular portion extending between said first and second extension portions.

18. The blank of claim 17 wherein said one extension portion is said first extension portion.

19. The blank of claim 17 wherein said one extension portion is said second extension portion.

20. The blank of claim 16 wherein said extension further includes first, second and third rectangular portions having a transverse width substantially equal to the width of said one section, said first rectangular portion extending between said one section and said first extension portion, said second rectangular portion extending between said first and second extension portions, and said third rectangular portion extending from said second extension portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS M. HENSON WOOD, .IR., Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. IN A TUBULAR CARTON HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS CONNECTED BY PAIRS OF OPPOSED UPRIGHT END AND SIDE WALLS AND AN OUTLET OPENING DEFINED IN ONE OF SAID WALLS PROXIMATE THE JUNCTION OF SAID TOP WALL WITH ONE OF SAID UPRIGHT WALLS, A METERING DISPENSER COMPRISING: PARTITIONING MEANS BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS FOR DIVIDING THE INTERIOR OF SAID CARTON INTO THREE SEPARATE COMPARTMENTS, ONE OF SAID COMPARTMENTS BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OUTLET OPENING; FIRST ACCESS MEANS PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID ONE COMPARTMENT AND ANOTHER OF SAID COMPARTMENTS; SECOND ACCESS MEANS PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID OTHER COMPARTMENT AND THE REMAINING ONE OF SAID COMPARTMENTS; AND MEANS INTEGRAL WITH SAID PARTITIONING MEANS AND IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SIDE WALLS FOR MAINTAINING SAID PARTITIONING MEANS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED WITH SAID SIDE WALLS. 